Brown Mountain Dam Waterfall
Los Angeles County, California
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Los Angeles County, California
- Access status
- Published hiking route and parking documented; stream crossings
- The walk
- Approximately 7.4 miles return
- Ground & access
- Mostly gentle trail with about 640 feet of total climbing. Several stream crossings need rock or log hopping.
From the dirt parking area beside the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, take the Gabrielino Trail up the Arroyo Seco. Pass Gould Mesa Campground at about 2 miles, stay on the Gabrielino Trail, go straight through the Paul Little Picnic Area, and reach the waterfall at the dam about 0.25 mile later. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
JPL parking area to Brown Mountain Dam on the Gabrielino Trail
HikingGuy lists 7.4 miles for this out-and-back hike to the dam waterfall. The optional upper viewpoint adds about 0.3 mile each way.
Mostly gentle trail with about 640 feet of total climbing. Several stream crossings need rock or log hopping.
Where to start
HikingGuy uses the large dirt parking area on the northeast side of JPL, entered from Explorer Road in Altadena. The trail starts at the end of the dirt area, before the gated JPL entrance. Do not drive to other places mapped as JPL Trail.
Timing & water
The waterfall flows best in winter and spring after rain. The source says to check Angeles National Forest closures before you go.
Before you go
Current fees and reservation requirements unknown.
Visitor informationMore waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
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